GUEST EDITORIAL:Henry to DCS a step in right direction for department

In an important turn for the better, Gov. Bill Haslam appointed Jim Henry to become interim director of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services. Henry brings vast amounts of government, legislative and political experience to the table, along with a solid record as current commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities. DCS needs a steady hand to help remake its image and to refine and improve the service it renders to thousands of Tennessees most vulnerable children. Henry is a solid choice to begin that process.

DCS has been in turmoil for well over a decade. Department leader after department leader has faced an uphill battle that includes overworked staff, lack of case workers, record keeping disasters, technological failings and a huge case load. Such challenges are not unique, in government or in the private sector. What makes DCS challenges and shortcomings so vexing is the population of thousands of abused, disadvantaged and at-risk children it serves. Why can't we get this right?

The experience Henry brings to DCS includes success in his current position and many years in the Tennessee General Assembly, including six years as minority leader. For 13 years, he was president and CEO of Omni Visions Inc., a company that serves families with adults and children with developmental disabilities. He also served as mayor of Kingston, Tenn. In every position he has provided strong leadership, great understanding of his mission and government operation, and he has earned the respect of people who worked with him.

Problems at DCS reached a tipping point this year when lawmakers and media began investigating the deaths of children who were in DCS care or who had been involved with DCS. The department could not provide accurate numbers. It struggled to explain circumstances or offer meaningful details of the deaths. It bogged down in legal wrangling over privacy, sending the issue to the courts. The latest numbers provided by DCS indicate 113 children in its care or who had been involved with DCS died in 2011 and 2012.

DCS Commissioner Kate O'Day became a lightning rod for controversy over the issue, though she had been on the job a relatively short time. She was guided in many of her decisions by state lawyers. Still, the failure to shed light on the deaths and legislative and public outcry led to her resigning her position, effective the end of February.

Legal issues mean it might be a long time before the public has a clear understanding of the child deaths in question. They are far greater than other states experience. What Henry must do is to quickly start the wheels turning to get the department on track, review child safety procedures and take steps to improve record keeping and improve employee morale. He is a good choice to get those things done.

- Jackson Sun

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GUEST EDITORIAL:Henry to DCS a step in right direction for department

In an important turn for the better, Gov. Bill Haslam appointed Jim Henry to become interim director of the Tennessee Department of Children's Services.

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